MH17 was Allah's punishment, said leader

THERE is outrage in Malaysia today after a leader of the youth arm of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) called the MH17 disaster a punishment from God.
Malaysian sources report that Kedah PAS Youth information chief Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman took aim at alcohol served on flights and the outfits of flight attendants as things which “cross the boundaries of Islam”.
Here’s another theory: Scenes like this had absolutely nothing to do with it.
Here’s another theory: Scenes like this had absolutely nothing to do with it. Source: ThinkStock
After the dual tragedies which have befallen the Malaysian national carrier, the Kedah PAS Youth spokesman reportedly said that the flouting of Islamic rules by Malaysia Airlines has incurred the wrath of “Allah in the bellies of the planes”.
He went on to express sadness and sympathy to the victims and their families, but said that the time has come for the government and the senior management of Malaysia Airlines to “view the problems besetting MAS from the most basic of issues, the element of God and his creation”.
“Flying in a MAS plane does not give passengers the feeling of an airline operated by a country which organises the annual Quran recital competition and in fact, even winning the competition,” he added.
Mr Sulaiman’s statements have not gone down well in Malaysia, with many commentators rushing to say they do not represent the majority view of either Malaysians or Malaysian Muslims.
This is a time for reflection, not inciting hatred. AFP Photo/Bulent Kilic
This is a time for reflection, not inciting hatred. AFP Photo/Bulent Kilic Source: AFP
Writing on prominent Malaysian online news portal The Rakyat Post, a spokesperson for the youth arm of the Malaysia’s MCA political party, Tee Hooi Ling, said the comments were an attempt by PAS Youth to gain cheap publicity.
“It is disgraceful that there are insensitive quarters who are out to gain cheap publicity from the deaths of 298 people aboard MAS Flight MH17,” she wrote.
“It is disgraceful that he is insinuating that this tragedy is a punishment from God against MAS for serving alcohol and allowing its crew to wear Malaysia’s traditional costume which he deems as indecent dressing.”
(Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, a former Malaysian government minister has said it is deeply insensitive and selfish to use people’s grief for political benefit.
Forty-three Malaysians were killed in the tragedy.

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